Tinubu, German Chancellor Merz agree to deepen security, power, rail ties
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have resolved to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Germany, with a renewed focus on cooperation in security, power and railway
- ...Tinubu seeks used helicopters for Sahel reconnaissance, urges stronger intelligence cooperation
- ...as Merz pledges Siemens support for power transmission
- ...says Deutsche Bank ready to finance project
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have resolved to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Germany, with a renewed focus on cooperation in security, power and railway development.
The commitment was reached during a telephone conversation between both leaders on Wednesday afternoon, according to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The telephone conversation, according to the statement, began at 2.01pm and ended around 2.10pm.
The statement said Tinubu and Merz also expressed willingness to expand collaboration in the creative arts and skill development, as part of broader efforts to deepen ties between the two countries.
A key part of the discussion centred on the Presidential Power Initiative, with Tinubu indicating that Nigeria would require support in the area of power transmission to advance the programme.
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In response, the German Chancellor pledged that Siemens would be ready to assist Nigeria, while Deutsche Bank would be willing to finance the project.
Both leaders also raised concerns about insecurity in the Sahel region, with Tinubu stressing the need for enhanced intelligence support and reconnaissance.
“The Sahel corridor is bad and needs our support. Intelligence support reconnaissance is needed,” the President was quoted as saying.
Tinubu specifically called for the supply of used helicopters to strengthen intelligence and surveillance operations in the troubled region.
The statement noted that diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Germany have spanned about 65 years, with Merz saying his government was eagerly awaiting the arrival of Nigeria’s new ambassador to Germany.
The German Chancellor also spoke on the importance of the arts and called for the establishment of the Great Museum of African Arts, as part of cultural cooperation between both countries.
